Are you traveling for the holidays? We can assure you’re not the only one! Many people go on holiday each year and a large number of these people go during the month of August. It’s crucial whilst on holiday to still think about your vein health. Here are some of our top tips to keep your veins healthy for when you’re next on holiday.
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot that develops within a deep vein in the body, usually in the leg. One way to reduce the risk of DVT is by keeping active on the flight and while on holiday.
Long haul flights (over 4 hours) in particular put people at the most risk of DVT due to the lack of movement. When flying try to get up and walk up and down the aisle or do some leg exercises while in your seat. Also don’t forget your travel socks – or better still graduated compression stockings. We recommend that all adults should wear a pair for any flight over 2 hours in the air.
When at your holiday destination, it’s very easy to relax and lie by the pool all day and soak up the sun, however, try to remember to get up and go for a walk to keep your legs moving.
While tight clothing on the legs is beneficial to vein health, tight clothing in a band around the waist might have the opposite effect. Clothing that is very tight around the waist can increase pressure in the abdomen, making it harder for blood to move from the legs back to the heart. Tight clothing does not specifically cause varicose veins, but a very tight waist is recommended to be avoided.
When we fail to drink enough water, the composition of our blood changes and becomes more concentrated which can heighten the risk of a clot forming. It’s important when on holiday to stay hydrated to avoid dehydration especially when visiting a hot country.
Top Tip: A great way to help consume more water is by infusing natural flavouring. Some refreshing combinations are lime and mint or strawberries and cucumber!
Whilst on holiday it’s easy to have a couple of extra cocktails. Alcohol is a diuretic which means it leads to a loss of fluid from urination and therefore dehydration, which thickens the blood and makes it more prone to clot.
So, if you are going to enjoy a drink, add plenty of mixers or have a soft drink on the side!
Smoke from cigarettes contains chemicals that increase the risk of blood clotting.
Why not use the stress-free environment to cut down – or even to give up.
When taking breaks from holiday festivities, make sure to prop your legs up and keep them elevated. Elevating your legs can help improve varicose veins and swollen legs. By elevating your legs, you can give your veins a break and get more blood back towards your heart. The easiest way is to lie back on a bed or couch and place pillows under your legs to raise your feet.
Before leaving on any long trip, you should consult with one of our experts if you feel your health is endangered by the state of your venous health. Some signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), blood clots, and chronic venous insufficiency are swelling in legs, pain in the legs, varicose veins, leg ulcers, and changes in the skin.
These conditions can be life-threatening and require medical care. If you are concerned about your vein health and would like to speak to an expert call The Whiteley Clinic on 0330 058 1850 or email info@thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk
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